EARLY BIRD SPECIAL BOOK EARLY & SAVE! Cardrona Hotel South Island Autumn Colours 16-25 April 2018
Itinerary Day 1: Monday 16 April - Travelling to Picton A leisurely start this morning as we are transferred to Wellington and meet at the ferry terminal for an afternoon sailing across Cook Strait to Picton (lunch at own expense enroute). Upon arrival we settle in to our Picton accommodation, with time to relax in this charming setting before dining in this evening. Day 2: Tuesday 17 April Picton to Hanmer Springs This morning we make our way to Blenheim where we visit Upton Oaks garden. Described as a romantic garden, a wander through the different garden rooms surrounding the Victorian villa, will reveal a 17th century style knot garden, perennial borders, a water garden and a wedding garden in blue and white hues. Departing Blenheim, we make our way up the Wairau Valley, passing through the village of St Arnaud in the Nelson Lakes area, with our lunch stop today at Murchison (own choice and cost). Our journey continues this afternoon through the scenic Lewis Pass to our destination Hanmer Springs. We may have time to relax and spend some time luxuriating in the hot mineral springs for which this area is famous (own expense), but if not then tomorrow morning is set aside for this activity. We dine this evening at a restaurant adjacent to our motel. Day 3: Wednesday 18 April Hanmer to Christchurch The morning is ours to enjoy in Hanmer. We may choose to soak in the natural mineral waters of the thermal pools that have for 125 years attracted visitors seeking its benefits and the clean, clear alpine air. Alternatively take a wander in the leafy grounds of the historic St Mary s hospital or the exotic forests of Hanmer, both featuring the hues of autumn. Later this morning we depart Hanmer, travelling south to Hawarden where we visit Flaxmere Garden. A Garden of National Significance, Flaxmere is a large country garden, with clever design utilising a spring fed creek that runs through the property, and taking advantage of stunning rural vistas. Following lunch hosted by owner Penny Zino, we travel through to Christchurch where we make our way to the green heart of the Garden City - Hagley Park - to take a wander in the Botanical Gardens. Don t miss the magnificent herbaceous border or the Central Rose Garden, the largest and finest in Australasia when it was planted in 1909. Checking in to our hotel, we have time to relax and unwind before dining in this evening.
Day 4: Thursday 19 April - Christchurch to Twizel As we travel south today we cross NZ s longest bridge spanning the Rakaia River, with our first visit to Trotts Garden at Ashburton. This garden is described as one of NZ s most beautiful and extensive privately owned country gardens and includes three hectares of peaceful woodland areas, formal and water gardens. A special feature is a relocated chapel built in 1916 and our hosts also provide us with morning tea. Our lunch stop is in Geraldine (own choice and cost), home of the famous Barkers preserves and exceptional local wool garments. This afternoon we travel the Geraldine-Fairlie highway, over historic Burkes Pass and into the MacKenzie Basin, stopping in Tekapo to visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Statue of the Working Dog on the shores of the lake. As we continue our travels to Twizel, time and weather permitting, we take an alternative route along the Tekapo canal, an interesting scenic detour. If the day allows we stop at the bottom of Lake Pukaki to enjoy the iconic view of Mt Cook from across the vivid blue lake. We dine in tonight at our Twizel hotel. Day 5: Friday 20 April - Twizel to Queenstown Continuing south through the MacKenzie this morning, we then travel over the tussocky slopes of the Lindis Pass and on to Wanaka, taking a drive around to Glendhu Bay, where the vibrant colours of autumn will be starting to make their mark on the lakeside willows and poplars. Returning to the village, there will be a little free time to wander and find a bite of lunch (at own choice and cost). Following lunch we enjoy a visit to Stuarts Garden, a garden that reflects its owners plant knowledge with clever plant combinations, and wonderful autumnal displays of maples, stuartia, dogwoods and other deciduous trees. This afternoon we wend our way up the Cardrona Valley, passing the historic Cardrona Pub, before dropping over the scenic Crown Range into the Wakatipu Basin, Queenstown our final destination. Tonight we take the gondola ride up to the Skyline Restaurant to finish our day with grand views and fine food.
Itinerary Day 6: Saturday 21 April - Arrowtown Autumn Festival Travelling to Cromwell Our focus today is to join the activities of the Arrowtown Autumn Festival. The South Island s most photographed autumn town bursts into life for a week of festivities, and today promises markets, parades, family fun and fabulous food. Lunch is at our own cost and choice during the day. Later this afternoon we make our way down the Kawarau Gorge to Cromwell, home for the next two nights. We dine in at our hotel tonight. Day 7: Sunday 22 April Historic Central Otago Today is for enjoying the history of Central Otago as we meander down to the shores of Lake Dunstan to view the buildings of Old Cromwell Town, before motoring down the Cromwell Gorge, to enjoy a wander of the streets of the tiny village of Clyde. Lunch today (included) is at the Orchard Garden near Alexandra - an old stone-fruit orchard that has been developed into a romantic country garden. A drive this afternoon takes us to a scenic lookout up in the schisty outcrops of the hills above the town of Alexandra. Many other photographic opportunities present themselves as we explore this interesting town located on the golden poplar lined banks of the mighty Clutha River. The iconic 11 metre clock on the hill, the Shaky bridge opened in 1879, and the historic bridge pylons of the original bridge that spanned the Clutha to name a few. Returning to Cromwell, we once more enjoy our hotel s hospitality, dining in tonight. Day 8: Monday 23 April - Cromwell to Oamaru Today we travel an interesting inland route that takes in the historic gold mining settlements of Ophir, with its attractive Post Office, and St Bathans, located beside a picturesque lake formed by early gold mining. Here we stop for morning tea and the chance to explore. Travelling on to Oturehua, we visit Hayes Engineering Works, a heritage site consisting of a fascinating 1890 s engineering factory, farm buildings and a 1920 s house and garden. This property was home to the enterprising Ernest Hayes, who invented products to improve farming life, his most widely known, the Hayes wire strainer. We enjoy superb hospitality in this tiny Otago Rail Trail settlement today, where we lunch at the local pub (included). This afternoon we take a detour into Naseby, another historic gold mining town, with a fine collection of delightfully original buildings. The final leg of our journey today sees us travelling over the curiously named Pigroot, an old gold trail route to the Central Otago goldfields. Oamaru is our final destination today and we dine in tonight.
Day 9: Tuesday 24 April - Oamaru to Hanmer Springs We are on the road in good time to begin our return journey through to Hanmer Springs. A morning cuppa in Temuka will see us through to our lunch stop in Ashburton (own cost). With further stops to break up our travel, this afternoon we return to our Hanmer Springs lodgings. Dinner (and bed) await us at our hotel, with time beforehand to enjoy another soak in the hot springs if the mood takes us (own cost). Day 10: Wednesday 25 April - Hanmer to Home An early start this morning as we journey back over the Lewis Pass and down through the autumnal canvas of the Wairau Valley s vineyards on our way to Picton. Lunch today is in Picton (own expense) prior to departing on our afternoon sailing returning us to Wellington. Finally we bid our fellow travellers goodbye before being transferred to our home locations.
Tour Highlights > Four stunning Autumn gardens * Upton Oaks Garden, Blenheim * Flaxmere Garden * Trotts, Ashburton * Stuarts, Wanaka > Arrowtown Autumn Festival > Historic Central Otago townships * Clyde * Ophir * St Bathans * Naseby and others > Hayes Engineering Works
Tour Schedule Price Per Person: Double or twin share...$2990.00 per person Single Accommodation...$3745.00 per person Early Bird Special...Save $50.00 per person!* *Applies to bookings made before 31st October 2017 only Deposit required to confirm your booking:...$390.00 Cost of Tour Includes: > All coach travel > Interisland Ferry transfers > Good quality motel or hotel accommodation > 2 course or buffet evening meals > All breakfasts > Morning tea on travelling days > Entry Upton Oaks Garden, Blenheim > Garden entry and Lunch at Flaxmere Garden > Entry and morning tea Trotts Garden, Ashburton > Entry Stuarts Garden, Wanaka > Dinner and Gondola, Queenstown > Entry and lunch at Orchard Garden, Alexandra > Hayes Engineering Works, museum entry and guided tour > Lunch Oturehua Railway Hotel Balance payable...3 March 2018 To: OR: Tranzit Coachlines Wairarapa Ltd, P O Box 116 MASTERTON 5840 Phone 0800 471 227 or (06) 370 6600 Book online at www.tranzittours.co.nz Please read Terms and Conditions enclosed